Power press



Jan 13, 1931. J. c; LDBETTER -1,788,489

POWER PRES S Filed MarchI 50, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 13, 1931. J. c. LEDBETTER POWER PRESS Filed March 30, 1928l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A um.

Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE JAMES CAMROD LED'BETTEB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE-PROSPERITY COMPANY, INCL, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK POWER :PRESS Application med March ao, 192s. serial Np. 265,833.

This invention relates to pressing ma- .Y chines and more particularly to garment presses of the power type: and an object is to produce a power press operating under fluid pressure as, for example, air or steam'. According to the principles of this invention, a high powered press is operated from the same source of steam which is ordinarily employed to heat the press jaws and steam spray the work.

A further object is to produce a diaphragm-type of power lpress of simple construction wherein a heating chamber and a steam'and air spray chamber is formed in one and the same pressing member or jaw without any separation or space` between the two chambers.

A further object is to produce apower press having coacting press jaws and oper` ating means therefor' which opens and closes the press and wherein one jawl is adapted as a power jaw, one surface of which' forms a press plate to engage the work and the other surface of which includes a fluid-expansive motive-power compression chamber. This power jaw further includes a steam and air spraying chamber as well as a heating chamber formed between the press plate L, and the compression chamber.

Other objects .of the invention are made apparent from the description and accompanying drawings wherein; j

Figure 1 is a side view of a conventional form of press showing two coactling press jaws, one of which is made in accordance with this invention to forma power jaw,

Athe latter jaw being in section as taken on Referring further to the Views, there is shown a press frame 6 carrying a table 7 for the work and stationary press buck or lower jaw 8. The upper pressing member or head includes a power press jaw 9-Which I have shown of integral construction formed in one piece but which may be built up in any well known manner by securingtwo or more castings or steel stampings together by which to form the several necessary chambers therein as will be explained., The power I jaw 9 is shown in the drawings as forming the press head, i. e. the upper press jaw, but it is' to be understoodl that the power jaw 9 may also be mounted on the -frame 6 and thus .become the stationary buck or lowerA 'pressing member.

Presses of this type for as garment and laundry pressing, ordinarily have one movablepress jaw, as for example the head'v 9; and to this end an operatlng member such as apress lever 11 is pivoted general Work such at 12 on the frame 6 and reaches forward where it is bolted at 13 to a motormeans cover 14: placed over a fluid-expansive dia-I phragm forming part of the power jawl 9. 'Ihe operating member 11 swings on its pivot 12 to raise and lower th'e head 9 in relai tion to the buck 8 and the work is pressed` between the two jaws .8'and 9. The press lever and cover form a stationary support means 11-14 after the press is closed and which resists the force of the motor means so that reaction of the latter causes the power jaw to he forced against the other jaw.

-The power jaw 9 is so constructed as to provide a press plate 16-on one side thereof, perforated at 15, and adjacent towhich is formed a steam and air spray chamber 17. Immediately adjacent the foraminous spray chamber 17 is formed a closed heating chamber 18 into and vthrough which steam is circulated to raise the press jaw 9' to high temi 4perature This jaw' 9 may be'ribbed at 19'.

so as to efficiently conduct heat 4from .the heating chamber 18 to the press plate 16 and make a. rigid jaw construction. v

The upper-or outer -faceof the' power jaiiv l 'opposite the press plate'may bei' depressed; as indicated at 21, to-lform' ,a motive-power A fluid-expansive compression chamber 21. A

`fiat disc type corrugated flexible metallic "'which is comparatively small in volume and 'thus requires little steam to operate the ower jaw. A fluid inlet 24 extends laterally rom one edge of the jaw into the compression chamber\21 to supply steam to expand the diaphragm 22. The compression chamber preferably slopes toward theiuid inlet passage 24 so as to drainwater forming therein back into the steam connections.

A stationaryv member in the form of the cover 14 is mounted overthe diaphragm 22 and over its enclosed steam compression chamber 21. The cover 14 is made with a rim 26 which fits down over the diaphragm 22 and-encloses it. The press lever 11 or frame, as the`case may be, is bolted at 13 to the cover 14. The press lever or operating means 11 stands rigid and stationary above the press when it is closed lightly on the work so that when the power jaw is actuated, the press lever 11 and cover 14 takes the strain thereby forcing the power jaw against the work on the buck 8.

In the example of the press shown the power jaw 9 is attached to the press lever so that the j aw is raised off the work by this press opening and closing means 11. In order that the jaw 9 be lifted with the lever 11 and at the same time be capable of short movement ower strokes inrelation thereto, I provi e ears 28 on the cover-'through which a bolt 29 is freely passed and anchored tothe 'aw 9. A compression spring 30 is /confined between the ear 28 .and nut 31. This sprin 30 withstands compression suiciently to lift the-press jaw 9 when the cover 14 and press operating lever' 11 are raised. However the compression spring 30 yields under the expansion of the diaphragm to permit the jaw 9 to move with great force in relation to the cover 14. This yieldable connection 29-'30 attaches the power jaw to the press operating means 11 for slight relative motion therewith.

In forming the compression chamber 21,y it may be considered that the circular flange 33" is raised on the surface of the power jaw lso as to provide the compression space or .chamber 21, and the fluid pressure tight diaphragm 22 is sealed thereon by screw fastening1 or otherwise anchoring it to this flange 33. -The diaphra 22 therefore closes a comparatively sha low Huid expansive chamber 21. The cover rim 26 fits down over the flan e 33 and this `arrangement'. affords gui ed movementl between the cover and power Jaw. This 'construction places ithel flange 33, the compression chamber 21 and the diaphragm 22 up in the cover 14 so that the diaphragm and steam expansion chamber 21 are will enclosed.

The cover 14 engages the center portion of the diaphragm 22 and forms. a stationary force resisting member against which the diaphragm expands and reacts. When steam is admitted into the compression cham- -ber 21, it follows that the steam expands therein and the stationary force resisting cover 14 withstands the force of the pressure, whereas the movable jaw 9 is free to move relatively of the cover within the rim 26 and against the work on the buck 8.

Any suitable means of supplying steam to the compression chamber 21 may be emplpyed and by way of example there is shown a exible connection 35 transmitting steam from a supply pipe 36 into the inlet passa-ge 24 and hence to the compression chamber.- A three-way throttle and exhaust val-ve .37 is provided in the steam supply system to admit steam into the compression chamber 21 and to exhaust it therefrom. Operator-actuated means of any suitable form is required' to work the threefway valve 37, and to this end a valve controlled handle 38 connects with a 'link 39, the latter being connected through a. bell crank 40 to the'motor means control valve 37. l

After the work is spread upon the lower jaw 8 the press` is closed on the work under light initlal pressure. Thel valve 37 is, now opened thereupon admitting steam into the chamber 21,.and thesteam expanding therein pushes down on the power jaw 9 sliding it in relation to the cover to produce high pressure on the work. The center portion of the diaphragm 22 reacts with great force from"- the stationary force resisting cover member 14 and operating member 11. r-I`he corrugated portions of the diaphragm readily flex therepermitting the outer edges of the diaragm to move downwardly with the power buck 9 while the center portion of the diaphragm is tightly pressed against the force resisting stationary cover 142 The springs 30 compress to allow the power Ajaw and press plate 16 to execute a quick high compression stroke against the work onthe buck 8.

To release the jaw compression from the work between the head and buck, the opera-` tor works the valve 37 in the other direction this way the heating chamber is readily whereupon. the compressed springs A p press plate 16, sprayv l lchamber 17 and the heating chamber 18. In

laf.

` jaw.

This type of power press provides one wherein the motor means 1s concealed within and carried by one of the jaws and the motor means is simple in construction requiring a minimum number Yof working parts and is convenient for use because it employs steam from the same source which is used to heat the jaw by filling and circulating through the heating chamber 18 and which is used to spraythe work by discharging through the press plate 16. i

Anotheradvantage of `thispower jaw resides in the fact that the yielding spring connecting means 29-30 connects the power jaw to the presslever V11 or cover 14 in such a way that mobility of the `power jaw against the work is attained.4 Unevenness of the work or inequality of thickness does not impose unequal strain on the press jaws. If work is thicker at one end than the other, the jaw 'compensates for that unevenness by reason of the flexible spring connection made between the movable press jaw 9 and its supporting means 11--14. The power jaw wobbles or tilts longitudinally o laterally to attain the same pressure against a thin portion of .the

work as against a thick portion.

In the example ofthe invention illustrated,

the fluid-expansive motor means 21-22 is concealed by the cover or cap 14-26 which is interposed between the press member 11 I or anj7 other member-provided tohold the cover and the power jaw. This cover is boltedto the spaced parallell lever parts 11' and stiifens the lever construction, or may be made integral therewith. y I have therefore produced a power iaw 'which includes closely related steam heatingl and work spraying chambers' 17 and 18 placed adjacent the working -face orpress plate 16, this being accomplished by placing the simple fluid-expansive motor on the opposite face of the power jaw. In this way, the frame and remaining press parts are ysimpliiied in construction because'theyare free of mechanism.

What is claimed is: 1. A pressV comprising, cooperating jaws and an operating member attached to-one jaw t-o move the same, the movable jaw including a press plate provided with a motive-power fluid-expansive compression chamber, a cirl cular lexibledisc 'diaphragm sealed over the.

compression chamber, a circular covervcarried with the operating memberv and disposed over the compression chamber and against which the diaphragm reacts, and means movably connecting the cover to the movable jaw. l

2. A press comprising, coacting press jaws and operating means to open and close the press, one of which jaws is a power jawprovided with a motive-power fluid-expansive 4cover .including a rim and means 4attaching the power jaw to the cover for movementin relation thereto', said power jaw being p roj. vided with a fluid-expansive compression chamber which fitsinto the cover within the rim, anda disc corrugated flexible metallic dia hragm inclosed within the cover and the periphery of the diaphragmandbeing sealed to the power jaw over the compression chamber, the center o the diaphragm engaging the center of the cover and reacting thereupon to move the power jaw against the other aw. I 4. A press comprising, coacting press jaws loe.

and operating means to open and close the press, one of which jaws is a power jaw, a ange raised on the power jaw, a flat corrugated flexible dia hragm having its periphery sealed to the ange and forming a fluidexpansive compression, chamber between it andthe jaw, a cover placed over the diaphragm and including a rim slidably fitting the ange, and said jaw being provided with.

a fluid inlet extending laterallyl from an edge of the jaw into the compression chamber.

5. A press comprising, coacting press jaws and operating means to open and close the press, one of which jaws is a, power jaw, said power jaw having a press plate to engage the lwork and having a surface oppositethe press plate which is. depressed` tov form a motivepower compression chamber, a flat flexible .diaphragm placed over. the. compression chamber and having its periphery -sealed thereto, said power jaw being provided with a fluid-pressure inlet extending-from an edge thereof' and running parallel tov 4the diaphra m and connectin with the compression cham r, and va mem er placed over and against which the diaphragm reacts to move the jaw against the other jaw.

6. A press comprising, coacting press jaws and operating meansto open and close the.

` the opposite surface, a disc diaphragm sealed press, one of which jaws is a power jaw having an outer depressed surface, a disc diaphragm having itsouter edge sealed to the ljaw and positioned over the de ressed surface thereby forming .-a closed uid-expansive compression chamber, a' fluid-pres-l sure inlet passage formed in the jaw extendto the jaw over the compression chamber, a fluid entry passage being formed in the jaw and communicating with the compression chamber, and a force resisting member against which the diaphragm reacts to movethe power jaw against the other jaw.

8. A press comprising, coacting press jaws and operating means to open and close the press, one of which jaws is a power jaw including a foraminous press plate, and being provided interiorly with a spray chamber and aiheating chamber adjacent the press plate, a compression .chamber provided exteriorly on the outside-- surface opposite the pressplate, a flexible diaphragm sealed on the jaw over the com ression chamber, and. a force resisting mem er against which the diaphragm reacts toforce the movable jaw against the other jaw.' 9. A press comprising, coa'cting jaws and voperatin means to open andpclose the press,

' means 11. A presscomprising, coacting press jaws and operating means to open and closet e press, a circular cover including a downwardly directed rim and the cover being carried with the operating means, a power jaw press plate includin a circular compression chamber disposed within the cover and the jaw includes guide means movably ittin the rim, a circular disc diaphragm seale over the compression chamber within the cover, said diaphragm engaging the cover and reacting therefrom to Vforce the press plate away from the cover, and a yielding con.- nection madevbetween the cover and power jaw.v

12- A press as denedlin claim 11 wherein the yielding connection comprises ear means formed.' on the cover, said ear means being formed with apertures therethrough, a guide bolt anchored to the power jaw and movable through each aperture in the ear means, and rspring compression means carried on the bolt engaging the Vear means to normally draw the power jaw toward the cover.

13. A press comprising, a frame and press lever pivoted thereon, a power jaw, a cover interposed between the power jaw and press lever and carried with th lever, means yieldingly attaching the power jaw to the cover, a disc diaphragm under the cover having its center restin against the cover and its periphery seale to the power jaw forming a compression space adjacent 'the power jaw, means to convey` Vfluid pressure into the compression space, and another jaw against which the power jaw compresses.,

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

JAMES CAMRODLEDBETTER,

one of w ich jaws is a power jaw including a foraminous press plate formed on one surface, a compression chamber being provided -on the other surface, a disc diaphragm sealed to the jaw over the compression chamber, a force resisting member disposed over and k against which the diaphragm reacts toforce the power jaw againstA the other jaw, and a fluid heatin chamber and spray chamber being provi ed inside the power jaw between the compression chamber and the press plate.

10. A press comprising, coacting press jaws and operating means to open and close the therein adjacent the s prafy o pressgone of which jawsis a'power jaw including a foraminous press plate, a sprayvchamber bein formed therein adjacent the press plate, a eating chamber-.being formed chamber, a compression chamber 'being rmedy therein adjacent the heating chamber, a disc diaphragm having its periphery sealed -to the power jaw over the compression chamber, and a force resisting member disposed across and against which the diaphragml reacts to force the,

power jaw against the other jaw,- 

